Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the Northeastern states serve as a bridge between India and the Global South, capable of driving economic and cultural exchange on a global scale. The Minister said this while addressing the 15th edition of NEtym 2026 on Saturday, the annual cultural festival of the Northeast Cell at Hindu College of the University of Delhi. Mr Scindia said that with 93 percent literacy and unmatched cultural depth, the Northeast must lead India across all fronts. He also said that NEtym serves as a dynamic platform that reflects the capability, energy and cultural richness of the Northeast that is reverentially referred to as the ‘Ashtalakshmi’ of India. The Minister emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the approach to the Northeast has transitioned from intent to implementation, ensuring that opportunity is defined by access and inclusion. He also paid tribute to cultural icons such as Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, noting that the Northeast remains a repository of unparalleled artistic and cultural wealth.